Boat and Ferry Travel

Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) operates car-ferry services to and from the main islands; timetables can be accessed from its Web page. It is important to plan ahead when traveling to the islands in order to coordinate the connecting ferries; CalMac can advise you on this. Multiple island tickets are available and can significantly reduce the cost of island-hopping.

CalMac ferries run from Oban to Mull, Lismore, Coll, and Tiree; from Kennacraig to Islay, Jura, and Gigha; and from Ardrossan to Arran as well as a number of shorter routes. Western Ferries operate between Dunoon, in Argyll, and Gourock, west of Glasgow. The ferry passage between Dunoon and Gourock is one frequented by locals; it saves a lot of time, and you can take your car across as well.

Ferry reservations are needed if you have a car; passengers traveling by foot do not need to make reservations.

Boat and Ferry Travel Contacts

Caledonian MacBrayne (Ferry terminal, Gourock, PA19 1QP. 0800/066-5000. www.calmac.co.uk.)

Western Ferries (Hunter's Quay, Dunoon, PA23 8HJ. 01369/704452. www.western-ferries.co.uk.)